NAPS vs. NROTC

Shelby Tallent

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2010
Messages
25
So I have recently recieved my appointment to NAPS and it was a shock, but I don't know whether to accept it or not. I have already received a NROTC scholarship to Texas A&M a few months back and seriously didn't think I was going to get into NAPS. The Naval Academy is my dream, but I don't think I could leave my family. My father was wounded in Iraq and his mental and physical health has been declining, on top of that my parents seperated this past year and I have been mainly taking care of my 4 year old sister, my only sibling. I want to go to NAPS, but my family wants me to stay close in case anything happens. Either place I go I would love, the only things that scares me from NAPS is the distance from my family in Texas and my current physical fitness, Im not in the best of shape. I just dont want to fail out or something happen to my father and I would so far away. Any suggestions would be great, having to make the decision has been eating at my brain!
 
Shelby, your story breaks my heart, but this is not the place to seek advice on this personal issue (even though you'll no doubt get some).

You need to talk to a relative, close family friend, member of the clergy, or counselor. Sometimes following your own dream is the best you can do for those close to you; other times you need to take on responsibilities for those you love. Only someone closer to the situation can help you sort that out.

BTW, w/ all the stresses you describe, getting in good shape can only help you succeed on either path.
 
Thank you for you response. I only posted here because every person I have asked have given me the same answer, follow your heart. I am trying to follow my heart but currently its being pulled in two directions. I thought if I posted here I could actually get some true or just some very opinionated answers.
 
I would go to Naps, mainly because the Naval Academy will prepare you so much better for life as an officer. Also, your family will survive without you, they will not simply vanish off the face of the earth. They might not be very fond of your decision but they will get used to it. USNA is something you just cant pass up.
 
NAPS vs NROTC

Shelby Tallent

NorthernCalMother is right here. Talk to somone and in short order. You have a decision to make here, that will affect you the rest of your life. Also, talk to Mom and Dad, too. They are your best source for guidance and remember they love you and want what is best for you long term. Lastly , pray to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let me leave to with the following scripture - Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Good luck and God Bless to you and your family.

Let us know what you decide,

RGK
 
Hey, my name is Lilly and I've been offered an appointment to NAPS and the NROTC Marine Option Scholarship. After a lot of thinking about what my goal is and the best way to get there I decided to accept my offer to NAPS and I will be joining the class of 2012, USNA class of 2016 in July. I am very excited and what helped me decide to accept that offer is that my ultimate goal is to be a Marine Corps Officer, to give back to my country and to make everyone proud. I want to be a great leader and protect the sons and daughters of America, that's what it's all about. However, personally I can understand your dilemma considering my mother is a single parent and is on unemployment right now and my sister is having a lot of troubles at her job (our only source of income) and has a lot of money to pay back in loans. They also don't want me going so far...but eventually you're not going to be around. You're going to have to start your life alone at some point and be able to seperate yourself from the people you've grown up with so you can grow into the incredible person and leader that I'm sure you will one day be. The Naval Academy Prep School and the Naval Academy will only help you to become the person that you will need to be to be a great Officer and the great role model I'm sure your parents want you to be. I know this is a very hard decision and my heart goes out to you. To leave your family and to be torn about which route to take is a toughy...I know. Trust me I know but your family will be okay. Your little sister will have you to look up to as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy and your parents, regardless of what choice you make, will be proud of you. I'm sure they already are. If USNA is your dream then you really should pursue it. Neither route will be an easy one but remember you will have breaks to go visit your family. Maybe you won't be with them every step of the way but you will have opportunities to check in on them and make sure everything is going well. I would really love to meet you at NAPS and to share the USNA experience with you but best of luck in whatever you decide to do and I commend you on your decision to follow in your amazing father's footsteps and defend your country. Kudos!
-Lilly
 
Thanks for all of your opinions! I recently talked to my parents and they both told me they would not support me if I went to NAPS and they think I would fail out due to the physical requirements. I still have not made a decision, and I know I need to. My father told me if I fail out all he will say is I told you so. So its difficult for me to really make one when I don't have the support. I'm currently on spring break and will make a decision by the end of this week. I just don't want to make the wrong one. Thank you again everyone for your support!
 
Thanks for all of your opinions! I recently talked to my parents and they both told me they would not support me if I went to NAPS and they think I would fail out due to the physical requirements. I still have not made a decision, and I know I need to. My father told me if I fail out all he will say is I told you so. So its difficult for me to really make one when I don't have the support. I'm currently on spring break and will make a decision by the end of this week. I just don't want to make the wrong one. Thank you again everyone for your support!

Shelby Tallent,

I know this is a difficult thing to hear from your parents, but remember deep deep down inside, they love you. Sometimes we as parents, need to say things to our kids they don't want to hear. But at least they are telling you the truth. Personally, I would take the appointment to NAPS, the to the Academy.

Good lick and God Bless,

Let us know what you decide,

RGK
 
I am with RGK.

Parents don't mind eating crow. Sometimes we are hard on our children, but it is out of love.

My kids know I always play Devil's advocate. They say white, I say black when it comes to decisions that impact their life. Once they never move off that white color no matter what I throw at them, I am 1000% on board. I just need to know they have thought it out from every direction.

Your parents may be taking this approach. It may be that once you call the ball, they will be the ones calling everyone with pride of your choice. They may just want you to call the ball, and stick with it.

I am a little concerned about the physical reqs comment. The fact is at NAPS or NROTC you will take a PFT. You cannot contract NROTC without passing the PFT. If their fear is real about the reqs. I am not sure how they can say go NROTC over NAPS, since if you would be likely to fail NAPS, you would be likely to fail NROTC.

Additionally, NAPS was not created for the candidate with a weak physical requirements (CFA), it is created to give one more yr of academics.

Good luck, in the end of the day, you must look in that mirror and ask yourself, if I go one way over the other, will you be 25, 30, 35, 40, etc. saying "IF I went ...." life would have been different.

One thing you can never get back is the past.
 
I recently talked to my parents and they both told me they would not support me if I went to NAPS and they think I would fail out due to the physical requirements...
.. My father told me if I fail out all he will say is I told you so.
I'm going to agree with Pima and Rkrosnar in that as parents we often times have to voice opinions that are painful for our children to hear. That said, I can't agree with your parents telling you that they wouldn't "support" your decision or that if you fail that they would say "I told you so". I think parents should give advice and then support whatever decision their child makes about their future. The "I told you so" after your child fails does not contribute anything positive...IMHO.

OK...now that my Monday morning QBing of your parent's parenting skills is done....I'd recommend attending NAPS. It is a rare opportunity and if you can handle the academics and physical aspects of NROTC at TAMU...you should be fine at NAPS. Just my opinion...:thumb:
 
Disagree

Thanks for all of your opinions! I recently talked to my parents and they both told me they would not support me if I went to NAPS and they think I would fail out due to the physical requirements. I still have not made a decision, and I know I need to. My father told me if I fail out all he will say is I told you so. So its difficult for me to really make one when I don't have the support. I'm currently on spring break and will make a decision by the end of this week. I just don't want to make the wrong one. Thank you again everyone for your support!

Shelby,

Reading this just tears my heart out. I have to challenge you because I have a different opinion than your parents: The Navy thinks you can do it. The Navy evaluated you and determined you need that extra year to prepare for the academy. With respect to your parents, the Navy has been evaluating candidates longer than they have.

You're worried about Physical requirements? So is every other Napster. At NAPS, your shipmates will NOT leave you behind. I can guarantee you will find the motivation for PT. As a future leader, you will learn to think critically and filter the opinions. Again, the Navy thinks you can do it.

Only you can determine if the Academy is best for you. You’re better with concentrating on what it is you are meant to do and the way to do it to the best of your ability.Everyone fails at one point or another, The Academy will make it a learning experience.

So, I will challenge you again: You CAN succeed at NAPS. You will be given the tools to do so. While you may not have you parent's support, this old sailor can say you will have the support of your shipmates; you'll need them as much as they need you. Don't forget your worth.

Doug Cabarle, USN, Retired
 
Last edited:
NAPS or ROTC

Hello Shelby,

Before I tell you my thoughts on what route you should take I want to tell you my background with the academies, ROTC, and a prep school. First, my son is a 2009 USAFA grad. He went to USAFA straight out of HS. My daughter is at the USAFA prep school right now and is expecting to get her appointment to the hill (academy talk for USAFA). She turned down a Marine ROTC scholarship and running scholarship (full ride) to The Citadel when she learned of her opportunity at the prep school. The Citadel is a full military school in South Carolina.

It was a very easy decision for her. She had always dreamed of going to an academy, even before her brother ever thought of going to one. Her mother and I never told her what to do, never second guessed the decision that she made.

My advice to you is follow your dreams and desires, no one else's. Do what is best for YOU. As for the physical side, you have passed the NROTC and academy fitness tests to the level to be offered a position in both. That should be enough said. But I will say more. The academies and ROTC are designed to push you to a greater level than where you are now, academically, physically, and with leadership. They will train you to be stronger and faster. Plus, you have nearly 4 months to physically train yourself before you ever get to basic training. Both ROTC and the academies have the same minimum physical tests. In my honest opinion, YOU WILL BE FINE....if you work at it. Just like everyone else.

USAFADAD
 
hey Shelby!

I'm sure that your family will support you with which ever decision you make. Although I know it will be hard to be away from them, you are leaving temporarily wherever you go. I'm a Texas girl and my family is having a hard time seeing me off to Maryland. In my opinion, both options provide amazing opportunities but NAPS and USNA will give you more opportunities to help them in the long run. Good luck with your decision, and God bless you and your family.
 
Hi Everyone! I just wanted to let you know I decided on going to A&M. Due to recent family events my family will need some fincial support. I will be getting around $900 a month for my Dad's chapter 35 and my NROTC Stipend. I will send this back to help pay my parents apartment rent. If I went to NAPS my stipend would be sucked up for uniform, books and other stuff while at A&M my books and uniforms are already covered. Thank for the support everyone and I truely hope some other deserving soul gets my slot. I can only wish them the best. Thank you again for all your support!
 
Well I'd support that decision plus you not accepting your offer can place another person in contention for NAPS. Good luck to your endeavors!!!:biggrin:
 
Hi Everyone! I just wanted to let you know I decided on going to A&M. Due to recent family events my family will need some fincial support. I will be getting around $900 a month for my Dad's chapter 35 and my NROTC Stipend. I will send this back to help pay my parents apartment rent. If I went to NAPS my stipend would be sucked up for uniform, books and other stuff while at A&M my books and uniforms are already covered. Thank for the support everyone and I truely hope some other deserving soul gets my slot. I can only wish them the best. Thank you again for all your support!

Shelby Talent,

Keep us posted on how you doing. I wish you all the best. It sounds like you made a good decision.

God Bless to you and family and God Speed,

RGK

"Hanging Tough"
 
I have decided to accept my NAPS Appointment. I recently have been kicked out of my house and I am living with a friend. I can finally do what I want to and I can follow my dreams. Not so great right now, but in a few months when I am there I will be estatic!
 
NAPS vs NROTC

Shelby Talent,

Sorry to hear about that, but I think going to NAPS will be a tremendous
help for you and your family. Once, they see how well your doing, how much you grow as a person, they may change their minds. I am extremely proud of you for handling this situation like an adult.

Good luck, God Bless and God Speed

RGK

Remember Phillipians 4-13, also "It is not about dreaming. It is about setting goals and setting objectives to achieve those goals. That is how success is achieved."
 
Shelby: Good for you. Take the NAPS appointment and do your very best. You cannot make up for the shortcomings of your family. Your best service to your younger sibling is to break away from the unstable atmosphere and make something of yourself. USNA is a heck of an opportunity, reserved for those they feel can make the grade. They feel you have the right stuff. Your NAPS and USNA family will be there for you. God Bless You!
 
Back
Top